Windies collapse as Smith just misses double ton

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AFP Kingston
Last Updated : Jun 13 2015 | 10:07 AM IST
West Indies slumped to 143 for eight in reply to Australia's first innings total of 399 following an eventful second day of the second and final Test, highlighted by Steve Smith missing out on a double-century by just one run.
In the second half of the day though it was Nathan Lyon's off-spin that brought him three wickets as first-change bowler, pushing him ahead of Hugh Trumble as Australia's most successful Test off-spinner ever with 144 victims.
"This was a much more helpful wicket than (the first Test) in Dominica," said Lyon.
"You just had to bowl in the right areas and be patient. There was always something likely to happen."
Pacer Josh Hazlewood also claimed three scalps, including Jermaine Blackwood for a top score of 51, in another typically miserly effort.
Two wickets in the last two overs of the day left the West Indies in an almost hopeless situation needing another 56 runs just to avoid the follow-on.
Having provided the foundation around which his team's total was built, vice-captain Smith became only the third Australian and eighth overall in the 138-year history of the traditional format to be dismissed for 199 in a Test.
He fell when Jerome Taylor, who finished with the outstanding figures of six for 47 off 25 overs, earned a leg-before verdict against the right-hander who had batted with great assurance for almost nine hours.
"It's disappointing to have gotten so close because I've never even managed 200 in a first-class match," said Smith in reflecting on his near-miss.
"More importantly though we're in a great position and it's really up to the captain (Michael Clarke) to decide what he wants to do if they don't get past the follow-on."
His departure broke another stubborn partnership involving Hazlewood.
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First Published: Jun 13 2015 | 10:07 AM IST

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